Euro 2025 Knockout Stage: Who Will Secure Their Spot?

As Euro 2025 progresses, discover which teams are on the brink of securing their place in the knockout stage and who faces elimination.

We've reached the second round of group-phase fixtures at Euro 2025, and with it comes the chance of teams either securing their place in the knockout stage, or being eliminated. England and Wales are both in trouble after opening-game defeats, while world champions Spain were ominously impressive. BBC Sport looks at how each of the four groups are shaping up - and who needs what to reach the quarter-finals.

What is the format at Euro 2025?

The top two teams from each of the four groups will progress to the quarter-finals, with the sides in third and fourth eliminated. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points at the end of the phase, the following criteria will determine their rankings:

  1. Most points won in matches between those teams
  2. Goal difference in matches between those teams
  3. Goals scored in matches between those teams
  4. If teams still have an equal ranking, the above criteria will be reapplied exclusively to matches between the remaining teams to determine rankings
  5. If teams are still level then goal difference across all group matches is used
  6. Then goals scored in all group matches
  7. Then Disciplinary record
  8. Then higher position in the overall European qualifiers

Group A

Norway became the first team to secure their place in the quarter-finals with a win over Finland on Sunday, combined with Switzerland's victory. They are guaranteed top spot because of their head-to-head record against both teams. Hosts Switzerland go into the final round of games knowing a point would see them progress via goal difference. Finland need to beat Switzerland to go through. Iceland are eliminated.

Group B

Spain will progress on Monday if they beat Belgium and Portugal fail to win against Italy. Italy will go through if they win and Belgium do not beat Spain. Belgium and Portugal could both be eliminated if they lose.

Group C

Eight-time winners Germany will progress to the last eight on Tuesday if they beat Denmark and Poland fail to beat Sweden. Sweden, who have progressed in the past eight tournaments, will be through if they win and Germany avoid defeat. Denmark and Poland could be eliminated with defeats.

Group D

The Netherlands, who won the tournament in 2017, will progress if they beat England and France avoid defeat by Wales. France will be through if they beat Wales and England fail to beat the Netherlands. Defending champions England will be out if they lose to the Netherlands and France are not beaten by Wales. Wales, in their first major tournament, will be eliminated if they lose to France and the Netherlands get a positive result against England.

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